Title IX Coordinator Search Committee Hosts Virtual Forums for Two Finalists

Jack P. Carroll ‘24  

Managing Editor  

Shannon Lynch and Erika Pichardo have been announced as finalists for Trinity’s vacant Title IX Coordinator position. Both candidates had the opportunity to engage with and meet students, faculty, and staff through virtual forums held by the Title IX Coordinator Search Committee on Monday, Sept. 20 and Wednesday, Sept. 22. 

Lynch is currently a Law Clerk at Raipher, P.C. in Springfield, Massachusetts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a minor in Law and Justice from Rowan University. Lynch also earned a Juris Doctor degree from Western New England University School of Law in 2019. As a law student, she served in student government as well as the General Counsel and Title IX Coordinator’s office.  

While working in the law school’s Title IX Office, Lynch worked with students, faculty, and staff to discuss certain issues and events that occurred at the school. She also informed the Coordinator about any incidents that arose to a Title IX allegation level. Lynch’s work in the office dealt with undergraduate life at Western New England University, and she helped facilitate various protective measures including classroom and dorm switches.  

As Title IX Coordinator, Lynch indicated that she would maintain an open-door policy and prioritize communication with the campus community. In addition to interacting with students, she would implement social media channels to promote preventative education online, Title IX facts, and the history of civil rights law. Lynch also emphasized the importance of maintaining equity for both complainants and respondents involved in Title IX cases. 

According to her LinkedIn profile, Pichardo is the Prevention Education Program Coordinator and Adjunct Professor at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx, New York. She conducts trainings and workshops related to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on college campuses. Pichardo is also an Adjunct Lecturer at Pace University where she teaches an upper-level English class.  

Pichardo earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, a Master’s degree in Criminology and Justice from St. John’s University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice/Law and Public Policy from Walden University.  

The Tripod was unable to obtain coverage of Pichardo’s forum. Professor of Public Policy and Law Adrienne Fulco, a member of the search committee, declined to provide details of the group’s discussion with Pichardo. Fulco indicated that questions about Pichardo’s interview are “not appropriate for me to respond” and would “require me to characterize the candidate’s responses to questions.”

Last week’s forums are the College’s second round of interviews for the position within the last year. In Sept. 2020, the committee held virtual forums for then-finalists Sophia Brevi and Kelly Yough. The search for a Title IX Coordinator and Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was suspended just months later in November.  

Rojas told the Tripod via email that last year’s search was unsuccessful, and the College decided not to hire either of the candidates that were under consideration at the time. Additionally, he did not explain why neither Brevi nor Kelly was not selected. Rojas also confirmed that the Title IX Coordinator and VP position were split into two full-time positions in the spring after receiving feedback from students and other members of the community. He also indicated that Trinity hired an individual to serve as a deputy Title IX coordinator throughout the summer.